»Click to view faculty participating in the program [http://colsa.unh.edu/faculty/381]

Biomedical science lies at the interface between biology-based science and the application of medicine and veterinary medicine. With the complexity of 21st century human and animal health care, the biomedical sciences have become increasingly sophisticated and involve a wide variety of disciplines that study all aspects of life processes. The biomedical sciences have as primary objectives the development and application of bioscience to the diagnosis and prevention of disease, to the development of treatments and to the monitoring and promotion of health and wellness in both humans and animals.

The biomedical science (BMS) major at UNH encompasses three options: medical laboratory sciences (MLS), medical microbiology (MM), and medical and veterinary sciences (MVS). These options possess diverse curricula but are linked by their common interests in the disciplines of medical and veterinary sciences. Students are attracted to these options by a profound interest in human and animal physiology and diseases. Each of the options in the BMS degree is based on solid foundations in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, along with advanced courses in laboratory-based disciplines, mechanisms of disease induction, and therapy. For descriptions of each option and their curricular details, visit www.biomedical.unh.edu.

Biomedical science is a dynamic discipline with excellent long-term career prospects in research, clinical practice, education, management, and laboratory-based disciplines. At UNH the BMS curriculum provides graduating students with the required and recommended courses for admission to graduate school and the professional schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, as well as to physician assistant and pathology assistant programs. With the current high demand for skilled biomedical scientists as research technicians in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, forensics, academic research laboratories, and hospitals, BMS majors also enjoy excellent job prospects upon graduation. BMS graduates also have a knowledge base that is valuable in the fields of sales, marketing, regulatory affairs, technical writing, patent law, and scientific journalism. With additional courses in education, the B.S. in biomedical science also qualifies graduates to teach at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels.

Faculty participating in the BMS curriculum have expertise in a variety of areas of biomedical science, including infectious diseases, veterinary pathology, virology, disease mechanisms, and laboratory medicine. The biomedical science faculty strongly encourage students to complement their academic courses with experiential learning opportunities through internships, field experience, and independent research projects conducted with biomedical research faculty on campus. Facilities include state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories. The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory (NHVDL) provides unique opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine and pathobiology to work alongside veterinary pathologists in the diagnostic laboratories.

Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) OptionThe medical laboratory sciences (MLS) program at UNH is NAACLS accredited and follows accreditation requirements. Students in this option take six required MLS core courses, five major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and four foundation courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). A grade of C- or above is required in BMS-MLS core courses within the major. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: https://colsa.unh.edu/mcbs/biomedical/major-requirements-bs-biomedical-science-option-medical-laboratory-science. In addition, all other University academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MLS Major ElectivesA total of five unique courses from a range of subject areas that includes hematology, medical biochemistry, phlebotomy, immunohematology, and case studies or clinical internships.

Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology (MM) OptionStudents in the medical microbiology (MM) option take four required MM core courses, five major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and seven foundation courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). A grade of C- or above is required in offerings within the major. This includes BMS-MM core, BMS-MM major electives, bioscience core courses, and foundation courses. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: http://colsa.unh.edu/mcbs/biomedical/major-requirements-bs-biomedical-science-option-medical-microbiology. In addition, all other University academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MM Major Elective CoursesA total of five unique major elective courses is required. At least one course must be taken in each of the following subject areas: host-microbe interaction, molecular biology, and community. Two additional courses are taken from the entire set of approved major elective courses that include virology, molecular microbiology, genetics of prokaryotic microbes, and ethics and issues in biomedical science.

Biomedical Sciences: Medical and Veterinary Sciences (MVS) OptionStudents in the medical and veterinary sciences (MVS) option take three MVS core courses, seven MVS major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and eight foundation courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). A grade of C- or above is required in all courses within the major. This includes BMS-MVS core, BMS-MVS major electives, bioscience core courses, and foundation courses. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: http://colsa.unh.edu/mcbs/biomedical/major-requirements-bs-biomedical-science-option-medical-and-veterinary-sciences. In addition, all other university academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MVS Major Elective CoursesA total of seven unique major elective courses are required. At least two courses must be taken in each of the following subject areas: biomedical systems, pathobiology and disease, and health and environmental issues. One additional course is taken from the entire set of approved major elective courses that include dairy management, endocrinology, physiology, microbiology, cell biology, and public health.

Pre-Professional Health ProgramsStudents interested in postgraduate careers in the health care professions should visit the Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising Office online (www.unh.edu/premed-advising) or in person (Hood House, Room 102). Requirements for specific types of professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, physician’s assistant, pharmacy, etc.) are provided at http://www.unh.edu/premed-advising/exploring-health-professions. Students interested in veterinary medicine should consult the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program website (http://www.prevet.unh.edu/). While many of the prerequisite courses required by professional schools are also requirements of the biomedical science major, students should consult with their faculty adviser to create a plan of study that best prepares them for pursuing a career in one of these health professions.

Minor in Biomedical Science (BMS)Students who wish to develop focused competencies in the broad area of the biomedical sciences can complement their major academic program with a minor in biomedical science (BMS). The general requirements for completion of a minor can be found in the minor section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Courses that fulfill the requirements of the BMS minor and groups from which they must be selected can be found at http://colsa.unh.edu/mcbs/biomedical/biomedical-science-minor. The intent to complete a minor in BMS should be communicated by the end of the junior year.

For additional information on the BMS major or minor, contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.